“We have to heal. We have to find out what happened and we have to heal from that,” Lee told CNN in a 2021 interview. Today, Opal Lee’s goal is a reality and a prime opportunity to continue to promote equality, civil rights and the progress of African Americans. Here are some ways in which you can celebrate June – while supporting organizations that strive to create a more just society for all.
Celebrate in person or at home
For many, this June represents a time of reconnection with loved ones and activities they once enjoyed before Covid-19. As communities show up to celebrate the day, you can join in the fun either in person or online. Live from the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles at 8 p.m. ET on June 19, CNN will broadcast an inaugural event: Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom Concert. Produced by Black creators Shawn Gee of Live Nation Urban and Jesse Collins Entertainment, the historic concert event will celebrate in June and highlight the ongoing struggle for equality in the Black community During the coverage of the event before the CNN show that starts at 7 p.m. ET, CNN’s Don Lemon will honor black artists and advocates working to correct inequality. In the midst of the celebration, the event also provides a disappointing reminder that there is more work to be done to combat racial injustice. “We knew it was important for our country and our audience to shed light on the meaning and significance of the Juneteenth,” said Johnita Due, Senior Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at CNN. “And not just as a historical event, but really as a way to engage and educate people about what still needs to happen for all of us to achieve freedom and justice.” Here are some other June festivities that also start this week.
Denver, Colorado will host its Juneteenth Music Festival, registering fifty thousand participants each year. The event will start with a festive parade and will offer two days of live entertainment, block parties and retail purchases from local vendors. Proceeds from the Juneteenth Music Festival will benefit the financial empowerment of youth and young adults.
In Washington, DC, music mogul and artist Pharrell Williams will host his “Something in the Water Festival” over the weekend of June. The 3-day festival that will take place on Independence Avenue will include performances by Pharrell, SZA, Anderson Paak and others.
In New York City, the Tribeca Film Festival hosts the Juneteenth program to celebrate “Black Stories and Raise the Voices of Black Narrators.” Selected content will include podcasts, music, talk, and movies. For those living outside of New York, the Tribeca Film Festival will also include online promotions.
The Juneteenth Foundation will begin its series of events with the inaugural ceremony of the Juneteenth Honors Awards, emphasizing “the excellence of blacks, our history, and the achievements of African-American personalities.” The Foundation will also host a celebrity golf tournament, a blockbuster party for the Freedom Festival promoting black business, and a virtual career fair. With the support of partner organizations, the foundation will also host a Father’s Day reception in June, which will honor black fathers. The event will take place at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington.
Make the story come alive
The National Museum of African American History and Culture hosts live and in-person events that offer engaging, educational opportunities that celebrate the dynamic lives of African-American ancestors and their contributions to the community for a fairer future. “It’s important to show that people throughout history have always been politicians, to make their lives better, to build a more perfect Union,” says Deirdre Cross of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. “Understanding that the heritage of citizenship is especially necessary for people living today, not necessarily to look back with pink glasses necessarily, but simply to see that it is a tradition in this country to look at the current conditions and see how they can be made better by the idea of improving the way we live now by providing a blueprint for how to make life better for future generations. “ The theme of this year’s celebration is “Senses of Freedom: The Taste, Sounds and Experience of an African-American Celebration.” Events include exploring the cuisine, culture and citizen participation. A musical performance will be open to the public in person and online on June 19. “Please come with us as you can digitally or in person. Take part often,” says Cross.
Invest in equality and justice in education
There are many organizations that fight for equality through education and empowerment. With your commitment, these groups can have a greater impact on communities across the country. Here are some ways you can get involved.
The National Urban League is committed to advancing African Americans through economic empowerment, equality, and social justice. Since 1910 the organization has promoted the progress of Black Americans through a series of community and national initiatives. Among the causes supported by the organization: education, vocational training, workforce development and public participation. The organization’s training initiatives include a mentoring program for African American children and adolescents. For more on this non-profit educational initiative click here.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund enhances the educational excellence of black youth. Named after the Deputy Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Thurgood Marshall, the organization provides scholarships, internships, employment and leadership development. The nonprofit claims to be “the nation’s largest organization representing exclusively the Black College community.”
100 Black Men of America strives to bring about meaningful social change by focusing on the next generation. As an African American-led mentoring organization, the nonprofit harnesses the power of mentoring to develop young adults as leaders who are able to make a difference in the world around them. The four basic principles of the organization include guidance, education, health / wellness and financial empowerment.
Disruption of financial injustice
Long-term injustices and practices have made it difficult for African-Americans to become businesses and homeowners all these years. The US Department of Commerce finds that “minority companies” are more likely to pay higher interest rates on loans, but many do not even apply for business loans because they are less likely to receive them. This is a factor that creates such a great racial inequality in wealth. The Federal Reserve notes that “the average black household earns about half the average white household,” making home ownership much less accessible to African Americans. According to a recent CNN story, “72% of white Americans own a home, while only 42% of black Americans own a home.” Here are some organizations working to dismantle oppressive practices to help African Americans get into business schools, start their own businesses, and acquire home ownership.
JP Morgan Chase + Advancing Black Pathways — JP Morgan Chase has committed $ 30 billion by the end of 2025 to boost “economic growth and opportunities for Black, Hispanic and Latino communities.” The Advancing Black Pathways initiative promises access, money and loans for small business development, mortgages and more. 3 to 30 – 3 to 30 is a project of The Black Homeownership Collaborative to create “3 million pure new Black homeowners by 2030.” They say these numbers would increase the overall percentage of Black homeowners by 10%. The partnership has developed a 7-point plan to achieve this mission not only to help new black homeowners but also to retain existing homeowners. SEO or Sponsors for Educational Opportunity helps young people from “under-served and historically excluded communities” take the next step through academic programs, internships and networking opportunities. SEO helps more than 6,000 young people enter college each year, graduate from college and then find jobs in a huge number of industries, including Wall Street. Black Owned Everything hosts a place where black names can be “celebrated and validated”. The site features products from beauty, lifestyle, clothing and accessories brands created by black designers. EatOkra connects consumers with black restaurants in US cities. EatOkra seeks to enable consumers to claim their power as conscious buyers and to discover a rich nutritional culture while helping black owners gain brand recognition and grow their business. HomeFree-USA is a non-profit organization that works to close the racial wealth gap by improving both home ownership and business opportunities for people of color. The organization also places particular emphasis on helping students from Historical Black Colleges and Universities. Through the Center for Financial Advancement program, HomeFree-USA helps connect HBCU students with real estate, technology, and financial opportunities.
Criminal justice reform
The Equal Justice Initiative says mass inclusion is “the issue of civil rights today.” A CNN report in 2021 reported a study from the Conviction Program that shows that “black Americans are imprisoned in state prisons almost 5 times more than white Americans.” Racial inequalities and injustices are at the heart of this disproportionate number. Here are some leading organizations in criminal justice reform.
The Equal Justice Initiative is working to end mass imprisonment, excessive punishment and racial inequality. The organization provides legal …
